u/Archangel447

Being an autistic Hellenist is hard...

So I haven't really mentioned this here, but I'm autistic. Which means that I usually take things very literally, and much more serious than I usually need to. This, in turn, has made committing to Hellenism a constant maze of questions and a need to ensure I'm doing things correctly.

It also doesn't help that I was raised in a Christian style upbringing with school assemblies having prayers, doing Scouts in a local church, reciting hymns during my childhood, the "Scout Church Parade" we did often, and trips to the local churches with my classes. So it's been difficult to break out of what I was taught as a child. This is why I'm always second guessing myself when it comes to Hellenism

"Am I doing this right?"

"Will this offend the gods?"

"Am I following the teachings correctly?"

"Did I just piss off Hades?"

"Will this result in miasma?"

"Did I just screw up the offering?"

"What happens if I stammer during a prayer?"

This is what makes it difficult for me to really stick to Hellenism because I'm always questioning my actions. I mean, sure I do prayers to Hades in the cemetery whenever I visit my mother's grave, and I always ensure I bring a libation offering (usually because the cemetery doesn't allow food near the graves, as it brings unwelcome wildlife). But it's also the home worship too. I'm just so anxious about doing it vocally that I usually leave the prayers until I actually go to the cemetery, where it feels much less awkward, especially with my dad who STILL doesn't understand Hellenism.

It's why, as many users have seen from me, I'm always asking questions that seem silly. I just want to ensure what I do isn't offensive, as it would be to the Christian religion I was basically raised around. I have tried to make it a routine, but it's just been difficult as I've tried to plan EVERY SINGLE DETAIL properly, to ensure my worship of the gods is as in line as it can be.

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u/Archangel447 — 3 hours ago

It's the little things

So I've been seeing a lot of new HelPols in here and this is something that came to mind a while back for me. As someone who also struggles with altars and offerings, due to family and other things, I wanted to say this.

You don't have to go through the effort of making a massive altar or providing a huge offering if you're new. It's about the small things first, build your relationship with them. Here's my take on the small things you can do for each god. They're easy to do, as they are simple everyday things, and they can help the foundation of your relationship with the god you wish to direct prayers and offerings towards.

(Need to note, these are based of what I've read and what my personal understanding of their domains are. I'm not entirely sure myself on if i've said these correctly, so feel free to correct me if i have made mistakes here.)

Speaking honestly and truthfully/taking public transportation- Zeus

Caring for the waters- Poseidon

Visiting cemeteries and tending to the graves/caring for dogs- Hades

Caring for nature- Artemis (could also be for Pan)

Showing care and compassion for those around you- Aphrodite

Training in combative arts/going to the gym - Ares

Enjoying yourself at fairs/arcades/simple gatherings- Dionysus

Studying at libraries/reading books- Athena

Staying true to your spouse- Hera

Ensuring punctuality/going for a run- Hermes

Listening to music- Apollo

Growing your own food- Demeter and Persephone

Volunteering at food banks/animal shelters- Hekate

Household cleaning, like sweeping a room or vacuuming- Hestia

Maintaining good health and medicine/donating to medical charities- Asklepios

Creating new art or building/smithing new items- Hephaestus

These may give you a good starting point on what you can do to honour your chosen god. Please take what I've said at face value, and I would honestly appreciate any corrections or recommendations for other small actions for any other god. I wasn't entirely sure on my input for Zeus as I'm mainly aware he rules the skies. So I thought being eco friendly would honour him, due to the greenhouse gases and pollution.

If there's anything wrong on here, please let me know.

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u/Archangel447 — 4 days ago